Background: Age 49, pre-menopausal, married 25 years with 4 children ages 9-16, diagnosed this past year with mild iron-deficiency anemia but otherwise quite healthy. The typical causes of anemia (heavy menses, GI problems) have been ruled out. Never any gyne problems.
Question: Dr. noted an ovarian thickening and found adnexal tenderness during routine pelvic exam. I'm being referred for a complete pelvic ultrasound. Am I really that high risk for something important like ovarian cancer? How important is it to get this checked out vs. watchful waiting? Could a cyst (or something) be causing the anemia?